By Melodie Caruso
Knitting is an old craft with renewed popularity, attracting both men and women of all age groups.
“It is not just for little old ladies anymore,” says Lucille Gravel a Centretown knitting-store owner.
Lucille, a knitter since she was 12, has owned Knitting Centre Limited since 1958. Originally located in Hull, the Knitting Centre at 126 Bank St., has been open since 1970.
“We have always attracted different age groups,” Lucille says, “but much more so now.”
Young people are taking up knitting because they feel the need to create and do something interesting, Lucille says, sitting on a stepladder used to reach the top shelves of yarn.
Knitted scarves, felted ponchos and wool bags have
become trendy and fashionable items.
Many young professionals have started knitting as a way to relax from stressful and busy schedules.
Lucille suggests beginners start with scarves.
“There is a lot of leeway to make mistakes.”
Eventually, those who want more of a challenge can make some of the more trendy items that require much more skill, she says.
This store and others like it have responded to the demands of new knitters and set up beginners’ courses to help them through their first project.
“I have just taken up knitting,” says a 25-year-old female customer who has just walked into the Knitting Centre. “I started with a scarf a couple of weeks ago and have been knitting since.”
She says, knitting your own items makes them personal and saves money, she says.
“I made myself a scarf and it only cost me five dollars for the supplies, so it is more economical, and it is relaxing.”
André Gravel, Lucille’s son, minds the cash register while his mother tends to customers.
André gets a pre-ordered package of wool and supplies from behind the counter for one of the stores regular male customers.
“There have been, and are, many men that come in and buy knitting supplies,” André says.
Men tend to make things for their wives and themselves, and are comfortable asking for what they want, he says.
“We once had a police officer who bought material to knit socks for his shift.”
Judy Dimillo a 52-year-old computer analyst has been knitting since age four.
She has bought supplies for her various projects at the store since it opened in 1970.
“I am retiring next year and I am going to knit clothes for premature babies,” she says.
Dimillo admits she has also knitted sweaters for each of her extensive collection of beanie babies.
Every person has a different reason for knitting, says Lucille. There is not a stereotype of a knitter anymore.
People from different backgrounds and professions are taking up the craft, including new immigrants, students, government workers, and ambassadors, she says.
A large knitting market exists in North America. The store mails orders placed over the phone or by mail request to destinations across Canada and into the United States.
“We have a large clientele in Nunavut. I guess that is a matter of necessity,” Lucille says with a laugh.
Beginners may be intimidated, but Lucille insists that there is a lot of help out there.
“We want the customer to continue knitting, so we give them care. We’re not here just to make the sale,” she says.